Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

My name is Mary McGrath and I am a first-year Biology major from Cincinnati, Ohio at The Ohio State University. I am the youngest of four children in my family and love to play tennis, read, hike, and bake in my free time. For high school, I attended Ursuline Academy, which proved instrumental in shaping my character and values, as I believe in the power of education, curiosity, and a strong work ethic.

One of the most influential experiences in which I participated at Ursuline Academy was a mission trip to Pine Ridge, South Dakota to perform manual labor for the Native Americans in the area. For a week, my Ursuline sisters and I learned the traditions and lifestyle idiosyncrasies of the Oglala Lakota tribe, a group of highly misunderstood yet extremely caring individuals. Through this unique experience, in which I was ejected from my comfort zone, I truly learned the definition of the Native American phrase mitakuye oyasin, or “we are all related.” My time in Pine Ridge, coupled with my passionate involvement with The Ronald McDonald House as a “project leader” for three years at Ursuline Academy, has served as a strong foundation for the work I hope to continue throughout my life: helping people.

Furthermore, I strive to achieve this goal through science, as I plan on attending medical school after my undergraduate career. At The Ohio State University, I hope to be involved with the study abroad program to continue learning and experiencing other lifestyles, with a focus on medicine on these trips. Real-world experience is a crucial aspect of learning, and I am determined to gain as much raw exposure as possible.

Academically, I plan on completing research under a professor or biologist. Being involved with research would mean truly making a mark on modern science, even as just an undergraduate student. I would be honored to take part in such a meaningful experience and would welcome any chance to participate. Regarding my education in general at The Ohio State University, I realize how lucky I am to even be attending college in a world where higher education is unavailable to so many. I begin my first year excited and eager to immerse myself in the opportunities that OSU provides.